Cyprus reaches its limits on handling asylum applications

The EU must tackle the migration issue collectively in the context of the decisions of the June summit, Turkey is not cooperating on readmission and Cyprus has already reached its limits in terms of managing asylum applications, stressed the President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades, yesterday in Salzburg.

During his intervention at the informal working dinner of the 28 Heads of State and Government in Salzburg, President Anastasiades stressed that the immigration “should be tackled collectively by the EU Member States and always on the basis of respect for human rights.”

President Anastasiades stressed to his counterparts that “Member States need to work collectively to deal with migratory flows, while respecting human dignity and the basic human rights of migrants.”

“We must agree on concrete actions to be taken to achieve a fair, equal and binding responsibility between the Member States,” the President of the Republic said, noting that “we need a common binding relocation mechanism covering all parts of the international protection “.

He added that “over the last two years Cyprus is struggling to face the serious challenges posed by the large increase in asylum applications and arrivals of illegal immigrants.”

“In the first eight months of 2018 there was an increase of 55% in asylum applications compared to 2017, while in 2017 there was an increase of 56% compared to 2016”, the President of the Republic said.

As the President of the Republic pointed out, “Cyprus has reached the maximum of its ability to accommodate migrants and asylum seekers.”

He also explained that with Turkey not cooperating with the Republic of Cyprus and not implementing the readmission agreement, the situation is extremely difficult.

Finally, Nicos Anastasiades noted that the whole issue should be addressed in the context of the implementation of the European Council Conclusions, of June 2018.